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Letter to the editor: What about First Amendment?

Posted
Tuesday, June 19, 2018 2:36 pm

What about First Amendment?

I am writing this letter in support of my Castle Pines neighbor, Shauna Johnson. I have never met and do not know Shauna, but am proud of her effort to express her First Amendment rights. After visiting her congressman’s office, Shauna protested by writing with chalk on a sidewalk outside Rep. Ken Buck’s office expressing her grave concern about separating immigrant children from their parents. Shauna is now facing misdemeanor charges and will have to appear in court and likely pay a fine or even possibly spend time in jail because of Ken Buck’s landlord’s charges against Shauna.

Many of us in Ken Buck’s district are very frustrated with his minimal response to his constituent’s concerns by repeatedly refusing to hold town hall meetings, and refusing to attend debates and discussions about issues that are important to us.

Now, even visiting Ken Bucks office is discouraged because Ken Buck is using his landlord to shield him from his constituents.

I believe that representatives should meet regularly and openly with their constituents. I share Shauna’s frustration and would like to point out to the landlord that when landlords lease office space to a public official they should expect that people will visit the congressman’s office to express their concerns whether verbally, in writing or by peacefully protesting. Our First Amendment rights are much more important than a landlord’s right to a chalk free sidewalk.

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